Scripture: But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. Acts 9:37-38
Observation: Dorcas (Tabitha) dies, and the people of Joppa send for Peter. There was no precedence to assume Peter could raise Dorcas to life, therefore there is an unanswered question about why they sent of Peter to now come to Joppa. This is further complicated by the concept that Peter's work in Lydda, while it involved healing of at least one cripple, mostly involved the conversion of many people to Jesus, and this does not appear to be the motivation for calling him to Joppa.
Instead, the motivation might be found in the vacuum of Dorcas' departure. She was a woman who cared for the disadvantaged, and even when Peter arrives the primary action of others is to tell him and show him of Dorcas' care for others. It seems possible, then, that what the people of Joppa had heard about was the great community of care that Peter had established in Lydda, and perhaps he could come and help them fill the void in their community.
To put it more pointedly ... and yes there is a lot of supposition to this ... the people in Joppa had learned that, in Lydda, was there was teacher showing others how to properly care for and love others. They needed that now and sent for that teacher. When Peter arrived, he first dismissed that need by immediately addressing its cause, restoring Dorcas to them, and then he could deliver his true teach ... love through Jesus.
Application: We know we are in a time when people will turn to the Church with their questions and confusion, and wonder if faith has answers for them. They are seeking to address their basic human needs and challenges. The good news of Jesus can do that! However, it can also help them to understand that it isn't really their basic challenges they need addressed, but rather the question of their life-long purpose ... to love the Lord through faith in Jesus.
When I turned to God with unknown, undefined needs, he gave me an entirely new path in life, and through that a new and totally faith in Jesus. When others come to the Church seeking to address their undefined needs, I expect we will see those needs suddenly subside, and instead be addressed by a desire to pursue faith. May this be so.
Prayer: Lord, may thy will be done in these terrible times, so that as many seek to understand their circumstances, they instead find your love and hope. And as that process may use me, here I am. Amen.
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